Holiday Pinecone Cheese Ball

By S. Danford

Ingredients

• Almonds
• Cream Cheese
• Craisins
• Port wine
• Pecans
• fresh rosemary

Preparation

Step 1

Spread almonds in a single layer shallow pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes, stirring often until almonds just begin to turn color. Cool.
In a food processor, blend together the cream cheese, port wine, cranberries, chopped pecans, salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
Shape the cheese mixture into 2 oval shaped balls and lightly flatten. Arrange them on a surface covered with parchment. Starting at the narrow end, place almonds into the cheese at a slight angle, until fully covered.
Top with a rosemary sprig and serve with crackers.
Drizzle with maple syrup if desired.